THB Blogs - The TecHome Builder Weblog

2009 Innovative Housing Technology Awards Revealed

IHTAs honor the most innovative products, builders and CE pros serving the homebuilding industry.

Inside the Wiring of an LEED Home

Green Life Smart Life project in Narragansett, R.I. reaches the rough-in phase for wiring and central vac as it tries to prove that a high-tech home can earn LEED Gold certification.

How to Get a Home Green Certified

Texas builder takes us through the process of attaining a certified Green Home rating for a new project.

How to Prepare for the Green Home Inspection Process

There are numerous ways a home can earn green points. Here's how to ready the home for the Green Home certification process.

New Home Sales Rise 4.7% in February

New home sales in February rose at fastest pace in 10 months to an annual pace of 337,000.

9 Challenges Builders Face When Using Integrators

Lack of trust, unfamiliarity with workflow, and high cost top the list.

Neothings, OWLink Give a Reason to Prewire with Fiber

Devices that extend HDMI, component video, control signals and 100 Mbps Ethernet over a single, nearly invisible fiber, may resurrect interest in fiber-in-the-home.

CEA Revises TechHome Rating System at EHX Spring

System includes a pre-wire spec and is made simpler with new Bronze, Gold and Platinum designations. Association plans aggressive marketing.

Integrators a Bright Spot for Building Industry

Housing expert predicts "nightmare" new home market won't stabilize until 2013.

TecHome Builder Now Part of Electronic House

Starting with the March/April edition, about 10,000 tech-savvy builders will receive six issues of TecHome Builder as an insert inside a free copy of Electronic House.

CEDIA Offers Home Technology Courses for Build Professionals

Local electronic systems professionals deliver training, while members of participating organizations earn continuing education units.

AxisPointe Names Chad Latimer CEO

Former Symantec VP in charge of strategic leadership with 20 years of software industry.

NAHB Names Scott Homes EnergyValue Builder of Year

NAHB Research Center recognizes Olympia, Wash. Green builder for its energy efficiency.

John Laing Homes Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

High-end Southern California builder known for "Tech Nights" in its design center declares Chapter 11.

Connexion Technologies CFO Appears on "Industry Innovators" Radio Show

Peter Ley discusses FTTH networks and Connexion Technologies' business model on the in-flight radio program.

Ultimate Electronics Shutters Builder Business

Ultimate, in its heyday, installed more than 17,000 structured wiring systems in a single year.

HomeSphere Names Jack Brannigan Senior VP of Business Development

Brannigan to direct HomeSphere's expansion into the residential construction market.

Realtor: Home Theater Re-Sale Value Is Undefined

Top L.A.-area real estate agent defines "permanent" components but says there are no guidelines for valuing electronics.

Fulton Homes Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Tempe, Ariz.-based homebuilder used automated online options and Guardian Home Technologies to sell more amenities.

Study: Average Size of New Home Drops 9% in Q3 2008

Average size of new home was 2,438 square feet in Q3 2008, down from 2,629 square feet in Q2 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

NAHB Names Joe Robson Chairman of the Board

Robson is the founder and president of The Robson Companies, developers of residential and commercial properties in Tulsa, Okla.

Electronic Amenities Top Homebuyers' Wish Lists, NAHB Finds

'Wii-sized' rooms, home offices and energy efficiency top the list of most-desired amenities.

Sony Makes Custom Pitch to Builders at IBS

HomeShare HD and its pre-integrated NHS rack systems are logical upgrades, especially in a slow housing market, according to the manufacturer.

NAHB: Housing Starts to Plummet 29% in 2009

NAHB chief economist David Crowe also predicts sales will be down 14 percent in 2009.

On-Q/Legrand Joins Fix Housing First Coalition

On-Q/Legrand aims to be part of proactive measures to end the mortgage crisis.